OPINION: It's the most action-packed card of the year we've seen since the last most action-packed card of the year, as the UFC looks to cap its international fight week with a card resplendent with some fascinating encounters.
Add to that mix a strong dose of Kiwi fighters and you have yourself a combat extravaganza of a weekend.
Let's take a look at some of the highlights.
Footnote: If you haven't heard, unfortunately one of the most anticipated fights of 2018 has been scrapped - featherweight champion Max Holloway has pulled out of his title defence against Brian Ortega with concussion-like symptoms.
Israel Adesanya vs Brad Tavares (Stephen)
In a curtainraiser for UFC 226, New Zealand's own Israel Adesanya will headline ‘The Ultimate Fighter Finale’ event on Saturday afternoon (NZ time) against Hawaiian veteran Brad Tavares.
After opening his UFC account with two commanding wins, Brad Tavares (17-4) represents a significant step-up in competition for the undefeated Adesanya (13-0).
Currently sitting eighth in the promotion's middleweight rankings, the hard-nosed Hawaiian goes about his business with minimal flair, but undoubted effectiveness. He prefers to outlast his opponents by luring them into grappling exchanges, where he employs his dirty boxing and wrestling moves to grind his way to decision wins.
The question will be whether he's able to drag Adesanya into his realm and effectively turn the bout into a grappling contest, and I don't believe he can.
Adesanya may be a kickboxer, but he's proven he's more than adept at defending takedowns attempts from fighters who are looking to do precisely what Tavares will do.
He's successfully repelled 16 of the 21 attempts to bring him to the mat through his brief UFC tenure to date and those five times he couldn't, he was still able to swiftly work his way back to his feet.
It's the same exceptional degree of dexterity and elite athleticism that allows him to be so dynamic on the feet, and if he manages to keep the fight there, Tavares will be staring at far too tall an order.
With his blend of varied, precision striking and elusive movement-based defence, the ‘Last Stylebender’ will present a puzzle that Tavares will struggle to solve.
Tavares' durability may prevent a finish, but it should be Adesanya by unanimous decision. Top 10, here he comes.
Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision.
Dan Hooker vs Gilbert Burns (Brad)
This is a super tough fight for 'The Hangman'.
Burns is a legit Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black-belt with decent power in his hands, knocking out his last two opponents.
However he struggles when the fight goes the distance, so Hooker's plan will involve keeping the fight on the feet, applying pressure and utilising his far superior cardio.
Burns' only two UFC losses have come by way of decision, holding five finishes the six times he has had his hand raised.
As for the Kiwi, well, he is riding a three-fight win streak, all highlight-reel-worthy, including two knockout-of-the-year candidates.
If Hooker can avoid seeing the canvas in this fight, I think he wins, but if Burns can wrestle the Aucklander to the ground, it could be a long night for the 28-year-old.
Dan Hooker by unanimous decision.
Francis Ngannou vs Derrick Lewis (Brad)
I absolutely love this fight. Let's just pray to the MMA gods that it doesn't run past the second round, otherwise we could see the worst round in UFC history, given the limited gas tanks both guys carry.
Both fight to finish and both possess fight-ending, if not career-ending power. Lewis is the better wrestler and may look to get Ngannou to the ground, but that's easier said than done in the first round especially.
The Frenchman has the edge in technique and power, but Lewis is super dangerous at any point of the fight and is hugely dominant when he gets the fight to the canvas. Make no mistake about it, Lewis drops serious bombs from top position.
However I feel like Lewis is on the downside, while Ngannou, despite losing to the champion last time out, is only getting better. Don't blink folks.
Francis Ngannou by KO in round one.
Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier (Brad)
This is the most exciting UFC heavyweight fight in history.
Miocic has established himself as statistically the greatest UFC heavyweight in history. While that’s debatable, he is certainly in the conversation, after stopping Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem, then surviving the enormous threat of Francis Ngannou.
Cormier is the reigning light heavyweight champion and, interestingly, is undefeated as a heavyweight, holding wins over UFC alumni Frank Mir, Josh Barnett and Antonio Silva.
Cormier will always have the Jon Jones asterisk hanging over his head, but if he beats Miocic, he cements his legacy as one of the best fighters of his generation.
Miocic has heavy hands, but Cormier has survived the most powerful puncher in MMA twice in Anthony Johnson, so I don't think the Cleveland native’s power will bother 'DC'.
The key will come in how Miocic handles Cormier's trademark pressure. I have my doubts - I think DC will be in Miocic's face the entire fight and I'm not sure if the heavyweight champion can fight on the backfoot against Cormier.
Miocic has always relied on his wrestling when in trouble, but that won't serve him well here, given Cormier's superior wrestling credentials.
Cormier by TKO in round three.
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